News Details

Electronic FOID card available under Anderson legislation

3/12/2018

Law abiding citizens who hold a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card would be able to display an electronic version of his or her FOID card on their phone or other electronic device under legislation (Senate Bill 2871) sponsored by State Sen. Neil Anderson.

“It happens to all of us from time to time, we forget things – in this case, it might be your wallet with your FOID card inside,” Anderson said. “But no matter how often we forget things, we seem to remember our phone. An electronic version of your FOID card would make things easier on law enforcement and our court system – as they wouldn’t get bogged down charging a law abiding citizen with a crime and then dealing with all the paperwork simply because he or she forgot their FOID card at home. The bottom line, law abiding citizens shouldn’t be charged with a crime if they forgot a piece of paper and they can still prove their status.”

Senate Bill 2871 would allow the Illinois State Police to develop a system in which a FOID card holder could access the system electronically and show law enforcement if he or she were stopped. The legislation would also require security features be developed to ensure the electronic version is accurate and current. Law enforcement would continue to have the ability to back check the validity and status of a FOID card holder through the FOID card database used by law enforcement.

Right now, it can be a class A misdemeanor if someone is caught with a gun in Illinois without possessing their FOID card.